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Opinion

We just said goodbye to a 26-year-old neighbor, a kid I watched grow up from sandbox to carpool to high school rock band to opera singer to drugs. His name was Noah. He could sing a seamless “Stardust,” and he loved the Italian opera singer Tito Gobbi, because Gobbi was a true character actor too.

We wish to thank all those who attended and contributed to our recent fundraiser. Along with donations and desserts from team members, we received donations of gift certificates, baskets, merchandise, the ingredients for the chili feed and potato bar and monetary donations from local Montesano and Grays Harbor businesses and individuals. We also would like to thank the radio stations and newspapers for advertising our event.

A rule for Republicans, credited to the iconic William F. Buckley, suggests voting for the most conservative candidate who can win. This sounds reasonable at first. What good is there in expending time, energy and money behind a principled conservative if the candidate is doomed to fail?

The expiration of key surveillance authorities this spring will force Congress to grapple with the sprawling spying activities exposed by Edward Snowden. Defenders of the status quo sound a familiar refrain: The National Security Agency’s programs are lawful and already subject to robust oversight. After all, they have been blessed not just by Congress but by the judges of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or FISA court.

A bipartisan trio of U.S. senators, New Jersey’s Cory Booker, New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand and Kentucky’s Rand Paul, are sponsoring a bill to classify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, meaning the federal government would allow it be used as medicine.

Grays Harbor County’s unemployment rate was back up over 11 percent in the most recent monthly report (from January). Not the worst in the state, but near it. These stubborn high unemployment numbers raise questions about how we do business. And politics.

The Grays Harbor Early Learning Coalition applauds the Washington State Legislature for its strong bipartisan effort to pass the Early Start Act. Now, as we launch into the state budget process, we encourage the Legislature to fully fund the bill and affirm our state’s commitment to high-quality early learning programs that create long-term, positive outcomes for our children.

One very positive attribute of the style of government used by most cities in the Harbor, is that everyday citizens can become elected officials. The mayors and city council members are shopkeepers, woodworkers, students and retirees. Those who run for office must assume a responsibility to be informed about the issues. They must also connect with the residents they serve, asking their opinions on proposed developments.

In response to James Walsh’s Feb. 19 opinion piece — “What’s paramount is a fresh way to look at funding and conducting education” — stating the tuition at Central Washington University is slightly over $9,000, I think he might want to elaborate honestly on his facts.

I would like to extend a big thank you to Making a Difference for Kids in Grays Harbor operated by Joe and Beverly Cornell. They have been very gracious and donated many needed items such as coats, hats, gloves, toys and numerous school supplies to the students at Lincoln Elementary School. As someone stated they are our earth angels.

The State of Washington’s constitution is more forceful and specific than the U.S. Constitution on several important issues, including two — the nature of political authority and the right to defend yourself — that are critical to Twin Harbors voters.

We are facing economic forces that have the potential to change this community more than at any time since the 1880s, when the Great Lakes region started to run out of timber and it was our turn to be ground zero for wood. Now some think it’s our turn for oil.

In Olympia, people speak of “two Washingtons”: the prosperous cities of Puget Sound, home to numerous globally recognized companies, and the rural communities where job recovery is slower and economic development lags behind national averages. Washington needs bold efforts to spur job growth and innovation across all of our communities.

Recent news from coastal Washington and the Olympic Peninsula has provided a glimpse into the future of a paper and wood products industry that plays a critical role in the region’s economy. Investments in local facilities are helping them compete in the new efficient manufacturing, carbon neutral energy economy. The question is whether state policies collectively are going to help or hinder that competitiveness.